A Flowery Song

Background: Well, there's a lot of confusion on that point. Much of the information on the ever-reliable WWW claims that this is made from honey and water at a 3:1 ratio. The Wiki of a Hundred Lies claims that Półtorak mead (which Jadwiga is) is mixed at a 2:1 ratio, which also accords with the description on the bottle. Then there's the question of what's added, which in the descriptions ranges from nothing to raspberries and wild rose to (once again from the bottle) raspberry juice. Then, of course, there's the fact that while the bottle says “Aged six years”, many descriptions claim an aging period in excess of 25 years. (This last point may have formerly been true, but heightened demand resulted in a younger release due to properly aged stocks being depleted).

Okay, so I was exaggerating; there's not really that much confusion. All of the erroneous descriptions can be traced back to the US distributor's website and/or employees. Shame, shame. Distributors, please at least try to know what you're talking about.

Oh, it's made in Poland by Apis, aged in oak, and is 16% ABV.

Appearance: Comes in a fetching brown glass bottle with a wicker enclosure and some wax blobs. Also a piece of shiny red string that the official description calls a ribbon. Pours a very impressive mahogany, and has legs that would put a bicyclist to shame.

Nose: Some alcohol presence, along with a lot of sweetness. Very floral and darkly fruity, but there are also raisiny notes.

Taste: Red fruit (probably raspberries) with the barest hint of oak. Dark dried fruit and sweet floral influences with a hint of nuts. The oak tannins and a medium-low acidity help counterbalance the extreme sweetness while you're drinking it, but they quickly fade and the finish is sugar sugar sugar all the way.

Overall: An interesting and complex (not outstandingly so) dessert wine, though way too sweet to drink regularly or in large amounts. A few ounces to cap off a luxurious evening will do nicely.